Comments on: Are you kidding me? My take on Christian Conferences.

By: daronnwashington

daronnwashington — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:53:35 +0000

Whether a person goes to a church help conference or not I think basically depends on them. Every conference basically has it’s price. Some more extreme then others. But the individual has to evaluate if it is worth paying the price to attend.

During the time of Jesus people traveled from all over to come and hear him. Granted they did not pay an entry fee but I do think it is Biblical. If we think that it will help us why not? Yes it is true that people all over the world have good works and do not go to conferences. But the question is if they could would they? I think any respective ministry that is looking to do their best for God is open to the idea that they do not know everything and seek outside of their immediate surroundings to learn.

I completely agree in the abstince of the motivational seminar approach but don’t agree with throwing out the baby with the bath water.

Thanks for the post.

By: James Dalman

James Dalman — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:40:15 +0000

@ Wil – Thanks for the feedback! I think there can be a huge concentration on “doing church” as we would a business and this is can lead to problems in the church. Learning from businesses and even conferences isn’t wrong; it’s when we place our trust more in the way of men than the way of Jesus. I guess the main reason for my post was that I am upset at how many church leaders (from big and small churches) seem to do this…elevating people who have “made it” to a god-like status.

@ Eddie – Please know it’s not anything with HPC and I think this may have come across as throwing a stone at them. My post has to do with conferences in general and the attitude (as stated above) that some church peeps get by idolizing the presenters, the methods, or the technology. I have no beef against any of these conferences from a personal stand point. I just pray that more Christians would follow Jesus and not the church rock stars. Maybe I’ll drop in some day – as long as no one body slams me! LOL.

By: Eddie

Eddie — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:26:56 +0000

Hey man,

I only skimmed over the article and some of the feed back yuo recieved. I just want to say sorry for all of the negitave feed back and that I attend HPC. By no way have we mastered ministry or anything else. We constantly visit other Churches to see how they do ministry. And to see the effectiveness of what they do.

I just want to ask one question. Have you ever attended a HPC service? If not you should come check us out!

By: wil dunbar

wil dunbar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:51:06 +0000

I have enjoyed reading your thoughts on church conferences as well as the replies to your post. I think one of your replies touches on the issue but not stongly enough when he indicts the christian church culture of today of embracing the business model as a viable means to “doing church”. I have had experience with many who feel that this model is THE way to build a church community and have adopted similar practices to do so. This leads to “success” in terms of numbers, fundraising, resources but leaves the congregation in dire need of real connectivity to the church itself unless they are actually a part of the staff. Churches have gone from allowing members to conduct the business of the church to relying on paid staff to accomplish this while being little more than passive participants in the process. Consumerism in churches is so rampant it seems that it is the norm and all else off the mark. These conferences are just symptoms of the true problem as they market to those who buy into this model.

By: James Dalman

James Dalman — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 22:55:39 +0000

Carly,

No worries and I really do appreciate your passion and enthusiasm for HPC! I love to see people who are on fire for Jesus and their church – the world needs more of that – and Jesus loves you too! Peace.

By: carly shoemake

carly shoemake — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 01:10:05 +0000

Ok I see now. I guess it just being my church, it made me a little upset. Although, I do see your side. Thank you for responding to my comment and I’m sorry if I came over in a horrible way. I guess we all were put on this Earth as different as we are to share and sometimes debate with one another.It is your givin right to share your thoughts. Have fun blogging, and just remember…JESUS LOVES U!!!!!

By: James Dalman

James Dalman — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:54:13 +0000

Carly – It’s all good and thanks for posting your thoughts here, which is the reason for comment boxes. I don’t feel everyone or anyone has to agree with me in any way. I just share what is on my heart and mind and let it go where it goes.

I can definitely see where many of the people offering these conferences may feel that I was attacking them personally or singling them out over a huge crowd – which was not my motive. I also do not intend to compare HPC to other churches who use the word “experience”. Rather, my comment has to do with my sarcastic humor and displeasure at how many churches use this term for worship, church, or whatever.

In a way, I do have a right to call it how see it – or compare churches. It doesn’t mean that I am right or may do it in the best of ways, but even Jesus made comparisons and if we are to imitate Christ then would we as Christians have the right to share our thoughts on what we feel may or may not be edifying to “The Church?”

By: James Dalman

James Dalman — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:30:18 +0000

@LJ – Welcome and thanks for stopping by! I appreciate your comments and feedback as well.

Unfortunately I am not one who finished college (and barely high school) because of my old lifestyle of addictions and lack of motivation. Everything I have learned has been by God’s blessing, many sufferings, self-teaching, and much reading. I graduated from the School of Hard Knocks.

I agree with what you are saying about that we can learn from conferences and others – and it really can be more beneficial than any college or seminary training. I am going to write another post that may clear up what I intended to say here in this post. I do believe conferences and seminars have value. What is bothering me is the way some Christians are approaching it now and how some leaders have placed more emphasis on the teaching of a man than that of Scripture or getting their hands dirty.

All in all I believe what you wrote is right on…except the fact that I am educated – but I really appreciate the comment!

By: carly shoemake

carly shoemake — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:45:05 +0000

Mr. Dalman,
I’m sorry first of all. I hadn’t thoroughly read the post and so I didn’t fully understand. I, like Phill and Andrew, attend Healing Place and when I heard your opinion it made me angry. Also, you and I posted our comments at the same time on Josh-bob’s blog so I did not have the chance to read it before I commented. I just think that if you were not meaning to point out my church or any church, you shouldn’t have made that list. I don’t want to have a deffensive comment but I just don’t think you can say much about what HPC conferences are about. Just because we use the word ‘experience’ gives no one any right to compare us or side us with other churchs. That is why you get to choose your church, because all have different ways of doing things. Please, I appologized for my words, don’t take mine as something personal that is just the way I feel. After all, isn’t that why you put up a comment box…to have people post their opinion?

By: LJ

LJ — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 17:27:21 +0000

This was my first time on your site. I was impacted by your impressions on this topic. The first thing that struck me was that you seem like a very educated person. By the words you speak, how well your site is laid out and even by the topics that are on your site here tells me that you are educated. I would dare say that you have likely recieved a college degree and spent some serious money attaining that education that allows you to do the great job that you do for the kingdom. I personally, recieved a 2 year college degree in Biblical training. It really did not prepare me to do the job that I am now doing for the kingdom. I have attended 2 major innovative type conferences over the last year and I was like a sponge soaking in every speaker and topic! Through those conferences, I believe we as a church were able to reach more people in our area, I was able to attain resources for free for our church that could be used for ministry. I learned creative tools that has helped our members step into ministry using their gifts. I spent realistically $1000.00 to attend these conferences and yes I had lattes and spent money on books and cds on the speakers topics. But what I gained in knowledge from these was far more than the nearly $25,0000 that I was required to spend on college for a 2 year degree that laid a foundation but did not really equip me with the tools I needed .
I appreciate the fresh perspective… iron sharpens iron. However, I think the church is called to stay relevant and relatable and the workers in the kingdom need opportunities to be feed at a level that challenges them to raise the bar for Christ. I also recognize that for a church to put on these major training events that it is a sacrifice on their staff and resources. I am most grateful for those who are willing to share with us their knowledge. The secular world is out to keep their “secrets” and knowledge so that they can get ahead of one another.. The church sets itself apart in that we are willing to share what it knows works and does not. I think that is exactly what Jesus modeled for us.